Shoe last



0a. 3, 1933. K BATES 1,928,847

SHOE LAST Filed Feb. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Kenneih .Bates flllorney Oct. 3, 1933. BATES 1,928,847

SHOE LAST Filed Feb. 25, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 20) 3 I all" Inventor Ken neih .Ba {96' Patented Oct. 3, 1933 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel last equipped with a shoe retaining and heelclamping means expressly constructed to aid in holding the shoe and heel in assembled relationship while nailing on or otherwise fastening the heel in place.

Considered from a more explicit structural viewpoint, it will be observed that the invention relates to a unique and characteristically different last which is especially, but not necessarily, constructed for use in association with so-called French or high heel shoes.

Needless to say, I am aware of the fact that a last equipped with clamping means and attachable to a conventional jack or stand is not broadly new in the art, and obviously then, the principal novelty is predicated on certain structural refinements and improvements which serve to individualize the complete device and render itmore suitable to satisfactorily serve the intended purposes.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:--

Figure l is a side elevational view of a structure developed in accordance with the principles of the present inventive conception, showing the manner in which the shoe and heel are associated therewith in actual practice.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken approximately on the plane of the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shoe retention lever.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the complete assembly illustrated in Figure 1, with the shoe and heel removed.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the plane of the line 5--5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the especially designed heel clamping plate.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View illustrating the swivel connection between the clamping plate and adjusting or feed screw.

Figure 8 is a detail section taken approximately on the plane of the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

In the drawings, in Figure 1, the numeral 9 designates the upright or standard of a conventional stand or jack whose upper tapered end portion is adapted to fit removably in a correspondingly shaped socket formed in the body portion 10 of the last 11. The last 11 is in the form of a single metal casting or body, whose body portion 10 is appropriately shaped at its upper end to provide an adapter for the heel 12. Extending in a horizontal plane, and appropriately proportioned and shaped, is a supporting arm 13 to accommodate the sole of the shoe 14. Pivoted to a lug on the outer end of this arm, as indicated at 15, is a longitudinally curved or bowed retention lever 16. At its free swingable end, it is formed with a lateral extension 17 equipped with spurs 18 to engage against the inner lining of the heel portion of the shoe, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. This lever is held in retaining position through the instrumentality of an appropriate pressure spring 19 cooperable with the pivoted end thereof.

The aforesaid heel adapter embodies an appropriately shaped stationary abutment 20 and a spaced upright 21. Incidentally the upright serves primarily as a support for the feed screw 22, the screw being threaded through a suitable hole and provided at its outer end with an operating wheel 23 and at, its inner end with a connecting ball-like head 24, as shown in Figure 7.

That part of the casting between the upright 21 and the abutment 20 and indicated by the numeral 25, may be conveniently designated as the bed plate or rest for the heel 12. Rising above this and connected with the abutment 20 and upright 21 are webs 26 formed with horizontal pivot and guide slots 27. These are broadly referred to as guides and they also function as confining members and facilitate the placement and initial holding of the heel 12, as is obvious.

The follower-like clamp is denoted by the'numeral 28. The principal part is shown in Figure 6, wherein it will be observed that it is of general V-shaped form and includes complemental or companion wings 29, these being appropriately shaped to conform more or less to the adjacent surface of the heel 12, as shown in Figure 1. It will be noted that the wings are provided with laterally directed apertured ears 30 carrying guide and pivot pins 31 slidable in the aforesaid 105 slots 27. This permits the desired sliding and swinging action for the clamp. The numeral 32 merely designates a rubber pad or facing for the plate which directly contacts the heel to prevent the marring thereof.

The principal features diiferentiating this improved last from others are these: The curved pivotally mounted spring pressed lever 16 carried by the arm 13 and having the laterally directed extension 17 provided with holding spurs 18 is believed to be a novel contribution to the trade and the art. Secondly, the spaced-apart abutment 20 and associated feed screw supporting upright 21, together with the slotted confining web 26 and resting surface 25, provides a new and novel adapter for the heel. Additional novelty is, however, predicated on the swingable and slidable follower plate 28 swivelly connected with the head 24, as indicated at 33 in Figure 7, with the ears 30 arranged between the guide webs 26 and attached thereto through the instrumentality of pivot or hinge pins 31.

The method of use and operation of the invention is self-evident if the reader will make a general survey of the description in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of theinvention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to, it desired.

I claim:-

1. In a structure of the class described, a unitary last, including a body having an attaching socket, the upper portion of said body being formed with a fixed abutment, an upright, a heel resting surface between the upright and abutment, slotted guide and confining webs attached in spaced parallelism to the upright and abutment, a feed screw carried by-said upright, a substantially V- shaped clamping plate located between said guide Webs, pin connections between the plate and webs, a swivel connection between the plate and feed screw.

2. In a structure of the class described, a unitary last, including a body having an attaching socket, the upper portion of said body being formed with a fixed abutment, an upright, a heel resting surface between the upright and abutment, slotted guide and confining webs attached in spaced parallelism to the upright and abutment, a feed screw carried by said upright, a substantially V-shaped clamping plate located between said guide webs, pin connections between the plate and webs, a swivel connection between the plate and feed screw, said unit also including a shoe supporting arm and a pivotally mounted spring pressed retention lever carried by said arm and constructed atits free end for engagement with the shoe.

KENNETH BATES. 

